Description
Dark, dark, one of the darkest earths you will come across, quite neutral and cool as well, think about the depths of a Rembrandt without all the warmth (which is quite a tragic vision!) and you are getting close.
I have become quite attached to this paint as it has a relatively strong tinting ability for an umber and use it take down the value of flesh tones, with much more control than any other umber I have used.
It maybe surprising given the popular connections with the earth pigments and Italy, however Cyprus since the nineteenth century has provided the majority of the world's umber. It is mined in the Troodos mountains on the island, and having been there and not that it in anyway affects the paint, it is a particularly beautiful place!
Technical Overview
Pigment - PBr7
Opacity - Opaque
Binder - Linseed Oil
Tinting Strength - High